Greetings on the 25th Anniversary of the Independence of Ukraine August 24, 1991-August 24, 2016

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, its member organizations, provincial councils and local branches extend warm greetings to the Ukrainian Canadian community and all those celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence!

25 years ago, the aspirations of the Ukrainian people for independence, self-determination and freedom were realized and the hopes of so many generations of brave Patriots were fulfilled. On August 24, 1991, Ukraine became an independent and indivisible democratic State.

Today, as so many Ukrainians have been forced to do through the centuries, a generation of Ukrainians again takes up arms to defend their homeland. The Russian Federation wages a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, trying once again to bring the people of Ukraine back under the domination of Russia’s tyranny.

But the light of freedom burns brightly in the heart and the soul of every Ukrainian! The people of Ukraine have answered the call to defend their country with determination, unity of purpose and valour. And the people of Ukraine will be victorious in their righteous struggle, for their cause is the cause of Free Peoples the world over – to live in liberty, in dignity and to choose their own common destiny.

Today, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, we honour those gave their lives so that Ukraine may be free. We pay tribute to those who today must defend the freedom that the people of Ukraine hold so dear. We remain united in our determination to support their brave struggle. We pray that Peace soon returns to Ukraine.